Outreach Specialist

DAYBREAK INC; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 27,552 - 38,572; Full time

Job summary

Daybreak Housing in Dayton, OH seeks an Outreach Specialist to connect youth aged 18–24 experiencing homelessness with shelter and housing resources. The role includes street outreach, face‑to‑face triage in shelters, and engagement across community settings to link clients to housing, employment, healthcare, and personal development opportunities.

The position emphasizes trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, harm reduction, and collaboration with service providers.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a high school diploma or GED plus five (5) years of working experience in a social services, education, behavioral health, or similar setting.
• OR an associate’s degree in social work, psychology, criminal justice, or related field plus two (2) years of experience in a social services, education, behavioral health, or similar setting.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience working directly with youth and young adults, preferably those experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

Responsibilities

• Conduct street outreach to identify and engage unsheltered youth (ages 18–24) in encampments, public spaces, and community locations, linking them to prevention, drop-in, intake, shelter, housing, and supportive services.
• Provide face‑to‑face triage and crisis intervention in shelters, the Drop‑In Center, and community settings to address immediate needs and connect youth to Daybreak’s programs (shelter, employment, behavioral health, and housing).
• Provide back‑up for Daybreak’s Drop‑In Center, ensuring a safe, supportive space for homeless and street‑homeless youth.
• Build trusting relationships with youth and utilize evidence‑based practices (Trauma‑Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction) to support engagement and progress toward stability.
• Complete intakes, coordinated entry assessments, housing needs assessments, and HMIS documentation accurately and within required timelines.
• Collaborate with Daybreak teams (housing, employment, clinical, case management) and external partners (PATH program, Goodwill, Homeless Solutions Policy Board, PLACES, Five Rivers Samaritan Clinic, Children Services, schools, treatment providers, etc.) to connect youth to resources.
• Maintain timely, accurate, and confidential client records in CareLogic and HMIS, documenting progress notes, service provision, and client outcomes.
• Attend and actively participate in staff meetings, case reviews, and engagement team meetings to ensure coordinated services and effective housing placements.
• Provide respectful, person‑centered services to youth with complex needs, including those experiencing chronic homelessness, mental health challenges, and co‑occurring substance use disorders.
• Represent Daybreak at community outreach events, presentations, and collaborative initiatives to strengthen referral networks and raise awareness of youth services.
• Identify opportunities for enhancement of the existing structure and processes between the adult shelters and Daybreak. Collaborate with St. Vincent De Paul Shelters staff to identify and refer youth in need of assistance, establishing an effective communication system between Daybreak, Homeful, and the adult shelters.

Skills

Street outreach

Crisis intervention

Trauma-Informed Care

Motivational Interviewing

Harm Reduction

Education

High school diploma/GED

Associate’s degree in social work/psychology/ CJ

Tools

CareLogic

HMIS

Job description

Outreach Specialist – Daybreak Housing

Position Type: Full Time | Location: Dayton, OH | Salary: $24.00/hour (up to 50% travel)

This Outreach Specialist connects youth ages 18–24 experiencing homelessness to Daybreak shelter and housing resources. The role provides face‑to‑face triage services in shelters, community settings, and through street outreach to engage unsheltered youth. The specialist represents Daybreak across the Miami Valley through outreach and community engagement, building trusting relationships with high‑risk or hard‑to‑reach youth and collaborating with service providers to connect clients to housing, employment, healthcare, and personal development opportunities.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Conduct street outreach to identify and engage unsheltered youth (ages 18–24) in encampments, public spaces, and community locations, linking them to prevention, drop‑in, intake, shelter, housing, and supportive services.
• Provide face‑to‑face triage and crisis intervention in shelters, the Drop‑In Center, and community settings to address immediate needs and connect youth to Daybreak’s programs (shelter, employment, behavioral health, and housing).
• Provide back‑up for Daybreak’s Drop‑In Center, ensuring a safe, supportive space for homeless and street‑homeless youth.
• Build trusting relationships with youth and utilize evidence‑based practices (Trauma‑Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction) to support engagement and progress toward stability.
• Complete intakes, coordinated entry assessments, housing needs assessments, and HMIS documentation accurately and within required timelines.
• Collaborate with Daybreak teams (housing, employment, clinical, case management) and external partners (PATH program, Goodwill, Homeless Solutions Policy Board, PLACES, Five Rivers Samaritan Clinic, Children Services, schools, treatment providers, etc.) to connect youth to resources.
• Maintain timely, accurate, and confidential client records in CareLogic and HMIS, documenting progress notes, service provision, and client outcomes.
• Attend and actively participate in staff meetings, case reviews, and engagement team meetings to ensure coordinated services and effective housing placements.
• Provide respectful, person‑centered services to youth with complex needs, including those experiencing chronic homelessness, mental health challenges, and co‑occurring substance use disorders.
• Represent Daybreak at community outreach events, presentations, and collaborative initiatives to strengthen referral networks and raise awareness of youth services.
• Identify opportunities for enhancement of the existing structure and processes between the adult shelters and Daybreak. Collaborate with St. Vincent De Paul Shelters staff to identify and refer youth in need of assistance, establishing an effective communication system between Daybreak, Homeful, and the adult shelters.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a high school diploma or GED plus five (5) years of working experience in a social services, education, behavioral health, or similar setting.
• OR an associate’s degree in social work, psychology, criminal justice, or related field plus two (2) years of experience in a social services, education, behavioral health, or similar setting.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience working directly with youth and young adults, preferably those experiencing homelessness or housing instability.